3 posts from September 2, 2013

September 02, 2013

GAINESVILLE
-- Florida released its updated depth chart for Miami and sophomores Matt Jones
(tailback) and Antonio Morrison (linebacker) highlight the few changes.

After
missing nearly all of training camp battling a serious viral infection, Jones
is listed as UF’s No. 1 tailback ahead of redshirt junior Mack Brown -- who set
career highs in carries (25), yards (112) and touchdowns (2) in his first
collegiate start last Saturday against Toledo.

Jones
will make his 2013 debut Saturday, but how much he’ll play -- considering the
South Florida heat, the noon kickoff and the sophomore’s conditioning level --
has yet to be determined.

“We
feel pretty good about [Matt’s] progress,” coach Will Muschamp said. “I think
you know, as we work through the week we’ll be able to know how much he will be
able to contribute.”

Quarterback
Jeff Driskel said it’s nice just to have Jones back for experience and depth
purposes, but the junior hopes Florida’s starting tailback is totally healthy.

“I
know he’s going to do everything he can to be at 100 percent,” Driskel said. “If
he’s close to 100 percent, I’ll take it.”

(Jeff Driskel)

Meanwhile,
Morrison is officially reinstated following a one-game suspension for a pair of
well-documented arrest. In a bit of a surprise though, Morrison is listed as
the backup middle linebacker to junior Michael Taylor.

Other
depth chart notables include: Suspended wideout Latroy Pittman no longer listed
as a backup at the “F” position, while the right cornerback position remains written
as “Jaylen Watkins or Loucheiz
Purifoy.”

QUOTABLE

“I
think our schedule is what it is. You guys keep wanting to add the Packers and
everybody else. I’m kind of happy where it is right now. It’s been so unsettled
just because I know Jeremy [Foley] and the guys have been dealing with the SEC
schedules moving forward what are we staying, what are we not. I don’t know
that all those things have been defined as of yet.”

--
Muschamp on the possibility of renewing the yearly rivalry with the ‘Canes

INJURY REPORT

Muschamp
said starting left tackle D.J. Humphries (sprained MCL) will return to practice
-- in a limited role -- Tuesday but is expected to be fine for Saturday’s game.
Backup linebacker Darrin Kitchens strained an oblique muscle and will sit out
the first two days of practice this week.

Defensive
tackle Dominique will miss Monday’s practice with the flu.

WEEKLY HONORS

Brown
was awarded Florida’s offensive player of the Toledo game, while the Scrap Iron
accolade went to transfer offensive linemen Tyler Moore and Max Garcia. UF’s
entire defensive line was awarded player(s) of the week for their superb effort
creating consistent pressure against the Rockets.

THIS & THAT

Former
Gators and Canes quarterback Brock Berlin -- the hero in UM’s wild 38-33
comeback win in 2003 -- will be Miami’s honorary captain Saturday. … Miami has
tallied 500+ yards of total offense in three consecutive games, dating back to
the 2012 season. Conversely, Florida didn’t allow more than 370 yards in a game
all last season. … UM is 13-14 all-time at home vs. UF.

Saturday’s matchup could very
well be the final regular-season meeting between the two powerhouse programs
for a very long time.

Today, Florida coach Will
Muschamp -- who grew up in Gainesville cheering for the Gators -- reminisced on
old history.

“Well, it was the leadoff game every year in the '80s. I
remember I was sitting in the North end zone when James Jones made the
one-handed catch against Miami. I guess '86 or, no, '84 was Kerwin Bell's first
game. I think we went through five quarterbacks in preseason, Jeremy [Foley] you
probably remember. We went through a bunch of them there, and Kerwin had his
first [chace] down in Tampa, I think is where we played that year. But that was a game
that when it was in Miami, I remember watching or listening on the radio, and
then obviously when it was here in Gainesville I was trying to get in the
stadium somehow.”

Each week, I’ll breakdown
(in a simplified manner, hopefully) a pivotal play in Florida’s game. I decided against
lots of arrows and pointers so as not to distract from the overall picture, but
if you’d prefer that in the future, let me know.

This week’s play is freshman
cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III’s first-career interception. Florida was
sluggishly going through the motions -- both offensively and defensively -- in
the second half Saturday before VG3 made an outstanding pick, aided by a great
pass rush. The Gators would go on to score their final touchdown of the
afternoon three plays later -- capitalizing on the short field.

Take a look. (Note: All screen shots courtesy of ESPN)

# 1

Against Toledo’s up-tempo spread, Florida predominantly
oscillated between a traditional 4-2-5 nickel defense and a 3-3-5 base defense. Here the Gators are in their 3-3-5
alignment, with Hargreaves III in press coverage at the bottom of the screen.

#2

Off the snap, Florida’s defensive line (specifically DT
Dominique Easley) utilizes a stunt rush with linebacker Michael Taylor -- lined
up with the slot receiver at the top of the shot -- blitzing off the edge.
Fellow linebacker Neiron Ball (No. 11) immediately drops deep into coverage --
similar to a Tampa-2 look.

#3

Initially, Rockets quarterback Terrence Owens scans the
field -- looking right to left. For a very brief moment, Owens actually has a
clean pocket but quickly notices zero open receivers on the right side.
Hargreaves is mostly removed from the picture here, but he is pushing his man
inside where he has safety help (No. 20 Marcus Maye). But now watch what
happens…

#4

The pocket quickly collapses, yet Owens sees that his
wideout actually has a step on Florida’s freshman cornerback. Maye, in bracket
coverage, appears to be a tad out of position (just slightly not high enough),
allowing Owens a small window to complete a big third-down throw. Or so the
southpaw thought.

# 5

The ball was poorly throw and a tad
behind the receiver, but Hargreaves showed excellent anticipation undercutting
the throw. Florida’s defensive line also deserves major kudos on this play, as
it funneled the ball to the very spot its defense was designed to stop.